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David Buchwald’s Newly Passed Bill to Help Keep Drunk Drivers Off the Road

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New Law Follows One Month After State Comptroller Finds Significant Non-Compliance with Leandra’s Law

As New Yorkers look forward to celebrating the upcoming holiday season in a safe and responsible fashion, Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law legislation to reduce drunk driving among repeat violators of state law. The bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) introduced the legislation (bill number A.6222) earlier this year to close a loophole that allows repeat DWI offenders under probation to potentially operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated, despite the generally mandated use of an ignition interlock device (IID) under what is known as Leandra’s Law.

An IID is an apparatus that is similar to a breathalyzer and is often attached to the ignition system of a motor vehicle as a condition of probation stemming from traffic-related infractions. The vehicle can only be started if the driver blows into the ignition interlock and his or her blood alcohol content (BAC) is below the legal limit of .08 BAC. Assemblyman Buchwald’s legislation, sponsored by Senator Michael Nozzolio (R-Seneca Falls) in the State Senate, strengthens part of Leandra’s Law, which was signed in 2009 and named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed in a motor vehicle operated by a drunk driver.

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Last month, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli published an audit of drunk drivers who were ordered to install IIDs in New York City between 2012 and 2014. The audit found that of over 53,000 IIDs ordered by the courts, only 13,810 drivers, or just 25 percent, were compliant.1 For those who violated their probation or conditional discharge, the requirement to use an IID could not be extended to make up for the missed time on probation during which the violation occurred. The new law grants the courts the ability to extend the sentence of mandated use of an ignition interlock device if a DWI offender violates his or her probation or conditional discharge. Buchwald’s bill, which was recommended by New York’s Office of Court Administration, provides judges the ability to extend the period in which the use of an IID is mandated in the vehicle of a DWI offender who violates his or her probation.

“Over the years we’ve seen senseless accidents and tragedies as a result of drunk driving in every corner of the state,” New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. “Ignition interlocks, coupled with aggressive monitoring of DWI offenders, are an effective way to prevent intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel and endangering the welfare of pedestrians and motorists. I commend Assemblyman Buchwald, as well as Senator Nozzolio, for their efforts to strengthen Leandra’s Law and thank Gov. Cuomo for signing this much needed measure into law.”

“Leandra Rosado’s story reminds us that life is precious, and in her memory New York State has taken steps to reduce the tragic loss of life due to drunk driving,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “Ignition interlock devices save lives, and by granting our courts the ability to extend the period of mandated time these devices are required for repeat offenders, we will increase the chance of preventing further tragedies like Leandra’s from happening in the future. I am thankful that Governor Cuomo signed into law this initiative to reduce drunken driving and keep repeat offenders off the roadways. I wish all New Yorkers a happy and safe holiday season.”

“Mothers Against Drunk Driving thanks Assemblyman David Buchwald for working to pass A.6222, and Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing this bill into law, that will increase the use of interlocks by individuals that have been found guilty of driving drunk in New York State,” states Rich Mallow, State Executive Director, Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 20 percent of all children who are killed in traffic-related accidents perish as the direct result of a drunk driver.2 In addition, over 22,000 DWI offenders in New York State are repeat violators, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.3 The new law helps prevent this unnecessary loss of life by requiring that probationary terms remain in effect after a declaration of delinquency, and allowing the court the ability to extend the end date of the oversight and utilization of the IID.

Assemblyman Buchwald’s legislation passed unanimously in both the State Assembly and the State Senate.

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1 New York State Office of the State Comptroller; “Oversight of Persons Convicted of Driving While Intoxicated” (http://www.osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/093016/14n4.pdf) October, 2015.

2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; “Injury Prevention and Control: Motor Vehicle Safety: Impaired Driving” (http://www.cdc.gov/MotorVehicleSafety/Impaired_Driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html) January, 2015.

3National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; “DWI Recidivism in the United States: An Examination of State-Level Driver Data and the Effect of Look-Back Periods on Recidivism Prevalence.” (www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/CATS/index.aspx) Nathan Warren-Kigenyi and Heidi Coleman. March 2014.

Nita Lowey on the Terror Gap: “Let’s Close this Glaring Loophole Immediately.”

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Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

White Plains — “We are going to win this,” Congresswoman Nita Lowey told fellow speakers and several groups of gun violence prevention (GVP) activists who gathered today at a press conference to address the “terror gap.” While Federal law prohibits the purchase of guns in nine specific categories including to convicted felons, domestic abusers and the seriously mentally ill, those on “terrorism watch lists” are free to purchase firearms–even while they are prohibited from entering ‘no fly zones,’” Lowey explained.

Lowey urged immediate passage of the “Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015,” a bill she co-sponsored together with Republican Peter King of New York. Despite the bill having strong bipartisan support, the majority leadership in the house has failed to bring it to a vote.”

nita and speakers

“We prevent those on terrorism watch lists from boarding planes but they are welcome in gun stores,” Lowey told those gathered.

“Between 2004 and 2014, individuals on the terrorism watch list tried to purchase guns 2,233 times. 2,043 were approved. That’s an astounding 91 percent.

Terrorists and potential terrorists are “knowingly exploiting weaknesses in American gun laws.”

91 percent of the American public, and even the majority of NRA members, 67 percent, agree on the importance of prohibiting sales to suspected terrorists, yet the NRA has prevented the passage of this legislation, pointed out Lowey. “Let’s close this glaring loophole immediately.”

Two mayors attended, both members of Mayors against Ilegal Guns.

White Plains Mayor Tom Roach offered: “A Mayor’s basic role is to keep everyone safe,” Roach said. “If you don’t speak up on this issue, you are just not doing your job. I can’t believe we have to fight to get something like this passed.”

Nyack’s Mayor Jen Laird-White spoke eloquently about being a mother of two children living in major cities and another preparing to leave home for college. “I want my children to board the subway or go out to dinner without fear,” said Laird-White. “I don’t want my college bound son diving under a cafeteria table to avoid gun violence.

“I want every child to grow into a life of adventure and possibility, not a cramped and fearful existence shadowed by the threat of gunfire.

“We all know there are not guarantees of personal safety in life. But there are sensible actions that we can take as parents and public officials to reduce the threats of violence…

“There is no reason why someone on a terrorist watch list should be able to purchase an arsenal of high-powered weaponry and take it home—no questions asked,” she continued. “There is not proper definition of liberty that justifies such a pointless and potentially catastrophic risk. It’s time to put ideology and politics aside and try common sense for a change.”

The final speaker was White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong, standing next to two police officers who he reminded were our “first responders” in criminal situations. The additional protections, he said, would give law enforcement additional resources in ensuring that dangerous weapons do not end up in thae hands of terrorists–domestic or international.

Activists joining the speakers represented New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Million Mom March, the Brady Campaign and Everytown for Gun Safety
Activists joining the speakers represented New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Million Mom March, the Brady Campaign and Everytown for Gun Safety

Grace Bennett is publisher and editor of The Inside Press.

“Let’s Move Past ‘Enough”” — Hillary Clinton, Brady Center Honoree

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Article and Photos by Grace Bennett

“I know conventional wisdom says the gun lobby is unbeatable, but that’s just not true. Despite what the gun lobby wants us to believe, the vast majority of Americans support reasonable measures.” — Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton

“It’s terrifying to think how anyone, and how easily a terrorist, can get a gun in this city. We are going to bring universal background checks to the floor of the Senate, and with your help, we can win this fight.” Senator Chuck Schumer

cipriani.hillary bestCould the pendulum finally be swinging in favor of passing major new gun violence prevention laws? Words of optimism and encouragement by Brady Center honorees Sec. Clinton and Sen. Chuck Schumer, and from Governor Andrew Cuomo, along with Brady campaign president Dan Gross, suggested that major change again could indeed finally be in the cards.

Key to such efforts are raising funds to keep up the pressure. Toward that end, some 450 guests were registered for the $1,000 a plate gala evening of the annual Brady Bear Awards at Ciprianis of Wall Street–and an animated auction (one dinner date with Paul Rudd went for $6,000) along with matching corporate sponsorships (an anonymous corporate donor promised a $250,000 matching grant to additional funds raised) together with prominent full page journal sponsors, such as Barbara Streisand and Michael Douglas, made for a successful fundraising eve.

cipriani.shumer best#Enough was the hashtag for an evening defined by both elegance–with various celebrity guests lending star support — and everyone treated to recording star Ingrid Michaelson’s poignant hit, Take Me as I Am–and the speakers’ defiant eloquence.

“The Tipping Point” was the all-important message.

And no small point … “It is the victims of gun violence who are making a great impact too,” noted Clinton. “There is no voice more eloquent than someone who has lost a child … there are so many senseless heartbreaking stories.” One such individual who spoke was Farid Naib, who lost his son Cayman to suicide from a gun in their home. “Guns in the home with children and young teenagers don’t mix,” Naib said, describing the heartbreak as unbearable.

Dan Gross, president, The Brady Center
Dan Gross, president, The Brady Center
“It’s long past time to say “enough”…enough talk, enough delay…it’s time to act,” said Clinton. “I know I’m preaching to the choir, but please, don’t give in to frustration, disappointment, or just giving up,” she said. “The politics are hard…but we can do this and deliver what will keep Americans safe.” Clinton added that she backs a proposal to stop people from a “no fly list” from buying guns in the U.S. “That’s just common sense.”

Recalling Schumer’s milestone legislation, Clinton noted his hard won fight for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act–and also quipped that he and his cousin Amy Schumer make a “wonderful team.”

“The NRA was against us every step of the way,” Schumer later commented. “The NRA is still at it but they don’t frighten us anymore.” He addressed the gun show loophole, that the NRA “managed to slide into prior legislation,” noting that 40 percent of guns used in crimes are purchased at gun shows.

cipriani.hillary with andrew and dan“We don’t care if you are red, blue or purple. If you don’t do right by the American people, we will hold you accountable,” offered Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence before introducing Governor Andrew Cuomo to present the inaugural Mario M. Cuomo Visionary Award to Sec. Clinton. Senator Schumer received the annual Jim and Sarah Brady Award.

“Celebrities and influences are speaking out everywhere,” Gross said, citing Kim Kardashian’s anti-gun violence tweet reaching 25 million followers as but one example. “In 2015, gun violence has emerged as a central issue in candidate debates, he said. “It was untouchable four years ago…”

Singer Ingrid Michaelson
Singer Ingrid Michaelson
Gross said Brady Center staff would be relentless in its efforts. “We don’t care if you are red, blue or purple. If you don’t do right by the American people, we will hold you accountable.” 93% of the American public supports expanding background checks. “It’s easier for the gun lobby to bully a small number of politicians than it is for them to bully millions of Americans.”

Another major focus of the Brady campaign is weeding out “Bad Apple” gun dealers (those who break background check laws, effectively “flooding the city and streets with guns” into the wrong hands); historic lawsuits are underway “to make them pay for putting profits over people’s lives.”

In an interview with The Inside Press preceding the award, Gross called it “terrifying to think how anybody, from a convicted felon to a person on a terrorist watch list can walk into a gun show and buy a gun, with no background check.”

Actor Justin Bartha with a guest
Actor Justin Bartha with a guest
He said the award to Clinton was an easy decision: “I have been deeply admiring her lead on this issue for years.”

Via news release from the Brady Campaign:

“Throughout her career as a public servant, Hillary Clinton has repeatedly put the safety of the American people above the influence and interests of the corporate gun lobby. She serves as an example for all policymakers who truly want to serve the constituencies they are elected to represent. Mrs. Clinton was there when the historic Brady Law was signed by President Bill Clinton and she has demonstrated a clear commitment in support of our efforts to ‘finish the job’ and expand those lifesaving Brady background checks to all gun sales.”

The Brady Center “Bear Awards” are named for Jim “Bear” Brady, who sustained a gunshot wound to the head during an assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981, and his wife, Sarah, who worked side by side with Jim to pass the landmark Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, more commonly known as the “Brady Law.”

caymanThe Brady Center “Bear Awards” honor the efforts of individuals who have distinguished themselves in their dedication to Sarah and Jim’s vision of a nation without gun violence and who embody their remarkable spirit, strength and perseverance, to the extent that anyone else can!

Multi-Level Care Treatment for Eating Disorders at Silver Hill Hospital

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First treatment program of its kind in the tri-state area.

Silver Hill Hospital today announces the only Eating Disorders Program in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York to provide a full year of integrated treatment versus a fragmented approach that causes patients to change facilities whenever the disease changes course. The new program, which will open this month, has three levels of care: inpatient, residential, and an innovative Recovery Support Follow-up Service that works with the patient’s community support network in for the twelve months after leaving Silver Hill. This is when relapse is most common.

Silver Hill is uniquely qualified to manage all the complications of eating disorders because it is a psychiatric hospital and can treat all the emotional, behavioral and physical aspects of the mental illness with the highest mortality rate. Those suffering from disordered eating often present with coexisting psychiatric issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse or suicidal ideation, compounded by malnutrition, and heart or other vital organ malfunction.

“Fifty percent of patients with eating disorders have another mental illness, or a dual disorder. The nature of the disease also means that many fight physical medical conditions as well, ” says Dr. Sigurd Ackerman, president and medical director of Silver Hill. “Treating these together is essential if a patient is to have a positive outcome. As a psychiatric hospital, we can prescribe all appropriate pharmacological interventions. There is a psychiatrist on our campus 24/7, and we have a multidisciplinary team of specially trained psychologists, social workers, dietitians and nurses to work with each patient.”

Erin I. Kleifield, Ph.D., will lead the program. “ Dr. Kleifield has more than thirty years of experience in treating eating disorders. She received her Ph.D. from Stamford, is former staff psychologist on the inpatient eating disorder unit at Cornell University Medical College, and has worked in both academic research and clinical practice in the field. We’ve spent over a year designing the program and have completely renovated the space. I am confident that with Dr. Kleifield and her staff, we can make a tremendous difference in the lives of many.”

Dr. Kleifield explains that Silver Hill can admit individuals for inpatient for emergencies and that the residential program assists in the long-term psychological behavior modification that is necessary. “Disordered eating is an incredibly complex illness that requires many types of support,” says Dr. Kleifield.

SR Photo, LLC“A patient might need to move back and forth between the inpatient and residential programs. That Silver Hill has both makes the difficult healing process easier for the patient and their family,” she says. Patients will also have the benefit of the Silver Hill Recovery and Support Follow-up Service “Thirty million people suffer from eating disorders in the U.S., yet only 35% seek care at facilities that specialize in treating them. With the highly skilled staff we have assembled and our outstanding facilities, we have an exceptional program that will help patients lead healthy, productive lives.”

Temple Shaaray Tefila and Students and Parents Against Campus Anti-Semitism

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Screenshot 2015-10-14 15.43.45

All HS, Confirmation and Post Confirmation Students – Join us on OCTOBER 26th @ 6

CROSSING THE LINE 2

Many people are surprised to learn that anti-Israel and anti-Semitic

activities have increased significantly on campuses across the country. Often, our children are unprepared when they confront BDS, or Students for Social Justice in Palestine (SJP) for the first time, or when they hear a professor speak about Israel as the hostile aggressor, or protagonist in the Middle East.

Understanding the agendas, learning the facts, knowing your rights, learning how to deal with Anti-Semitism on campus, are all essential tools we can give our children now. We invite HS students to an informative evening with a showing of Crossing the Line 2 and special guests from the film and from colleges across the country.

Who: Confirmation and Post-Con students from TST and HS
students from all Westchester schools

When: Monday, October 26th 6:00 P.M.
Where: TST – 89 Baldwin Road, Bedford Corners, NY

Hosted by: Temple Shaaray Tefila and Students and Parents Against
Campus Anti-Semitism

For more information, and to rsvp, contact Robin Weber at rweber@templest.org 666.3133 or Karyn Gallant karyngallant@msn.com

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